Galvanic cell.



W. L. HEIM.

GALVANIG CELL. APPLICATION FILED FEB. 28, 1908.

919,010, Patented A n'zo, 1909.

ITNE SESI INVENTORI mun/ 1 11.11am,

sealed'in the usual plug 8, which renders the cell impervious to llNltTE.

GALVANIC CELL.

Application filed February 28, 1908.

To all whom it'may concern:

Be it l :nown that I, dummn ii. llnm, of Kane, in the county of Mcltean and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Galvanic Cells, whereof the following is a specification, relerence being had to the accompanying draw mgs.

My invention relates to an improvement in galvanic cells, and principally to those in which the contents are saturated with a liquid elec o1 te and which are commonly denominated dry cells, consisting of a metal container, an electrolyte and a central electrode. I

The object of my invention is to prevent or hinder deterioration in such cells caused by the action of the electrolyte on the metallic container, While such cells are held in stool: by a dealer or by a purchaser, and prior to their actual use.

In the acconx anying drawings, Figure I,

is a longitudina vertical sectional view of a galvanic battery cell embod ing my invention, the central elec rode eing shown in outline. Fig. II, is a horizontal sectional view of the cell. In said drawings, the outer shell or container 1, is made of a thin metal, which forms one electrode of the cell, and in this instance, may be of zinc, and provided at its up er end with a binding post 2. The other e cotrode 4, may be carbon and provided with a binding post 5.

Within the container 6, which may consist of one or more concentric layers of orous paper as is common in cells of this cescription. Between the porous lining and the inner electrode, a depolarizing agent electrolyte and conducting filler 7, is placed, and the top of the cell is manner, by means of the 1, is a porous lining the action of external atmosphere'and thereby prevents leakage and evaporation. The

porous lining 6, is saturated with the exciting compound or electrolyte, which, in the present instance, ma consist of a dissolved mixture of ammonium chlorid and zinc chlorid, although other kinds of electrolyte ma be used.

hus far I have described a known type of cell, to which my invention is ap lies Is. It will be understood that it is as'o applicable to other types of cells. It has been found that cells constructed as above Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 20, 1909.

Serial No. 8,256.

set forth, are liable to deterioration, when keptior any considerable time, without use, as for example, upon the shelves of a dealer. For this reason, I provide a removable insulating medium between the electrolyte and one of the electrodes, in this instance, the

outer electrode which also serves the con.- tainer, and thus prevent or hinder the deterioration due to the action of the electrolyte upon the container. A suitable and eflicient means for accomplishing this purpose, is to coat the inside of the container with a thin coating of parallin 10, or other Waxy "insulating substance which. remains solid at atmospheric or normal temperatures, which extends between the container and the porous lining 6 This lining 10, extends around the sides, and over the bottom of the container, thus separating and totally or partially insulating the electrolyte from the container, so that so long as it remains in place the deterioration of the cell is prevented or hindered.

When it is desired to use the cell, it is merely necessar to gently heat the same in order to melt t e paraflin, which will then rise to the top of the electrolyte, thus causing the container to present an inner surface in condition to be acted upon by the electrolyte in the usual manner. Ason-e means for melting the arai'lin, the container may be placed in rot water of sufficiently high temperature to melt said paraifin. Obviously,-

other modes of heating are readily available, and will fall within-the scope of my inven tion.

Although parah'in is iven as an example of a substance suitable $01 insulation, it will be understood that 1 do not limit myself to this substance, since similar Waxy substances, or indeed any insulating substance which is solid at ordinary temperature, but may be liquefied at an abnormal temperature which will not otherwise injure the cell, may be em loyed to accomplish my purpose.

'lhe electrodes and the particular electrolyte above set forth are merely given as examples, as obviously other electrodes and electrolytes may be employed with equal advantage.

I am aware that paraiiin has been used to coat steel or iron to rotect it against rust, and that steel electro as a protection against rust, prior to their use in a storage battery, as described in U. S. Patent No. 518,966, to Phillips & Entz, for a es have been so coated 

